Improvement in running-gears for vehicles



2 Shens-Sheet 1.

G. WILKES. Running-Gear for Vehicle.

No. 204,868. Patented June 11, 1878.

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HVPETERS, PHOTWUTHOGRAPNER. WASHINGTON, D c.

2 S heetsSheet 2,.

G. WILKES.. Running-Gear for Vehicle.-

Patented J une1L1878.

M Kuewes.

MPETERS. PHOTO LITHOGRAPNER front and rear axles.

UNITED STATES .PATENT OFFICE.

GEORGE WILKES, OF MONROE, IOWA.

IMPROVEMENT IN RUNNING-GEARS FOR VEHICLES.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 204.868, dated June 11,1878; application filed October 27, 1877.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, GEORGE WILKES, of Monroe, in the county of Jasperand State of Iowa, have invented a new and useful Improvement inVehicle-Frames, of which the following is a specification, referencebeing had to the accompanying drawings.

My invention consists of a vehicle-frame which will yield to any suddenshock without any wrench to its parts, and in which the material is sodisposed that with given weight far greater strength is obtained than inany frame now in use or known, or, vice versa, a given strength may beobtained with far less Weight and quantity of material.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a plan of my invention,viewed from above.Fig. 2 is a view of the front axle as it appears in use when faced bythe spectator. The shaded portions are sectional to show king-bolt andfifth-wheel. Fig. 3 is the forward end of upper portion of the reach,viewed from above to show its connection with king-bolt and forwardaxle. Fig. 4 is a side elevation of the reach, showing its constructionand its connection with the Fig. 5 is an elevation of the rear axle asseen when the spectator faces the rear of the vehicle. Y

Like letters refer to like parts in all the figures.

My invention is as follows: In a vehiclereach such as described andshown, the method of connecting said reach to the forward and rearaxles, (the same being double, as shown,) and the interposition of aspring between the forward ends of such reach. The lower portion, E, ofthis reach, Fig. 4, consists of a straight bar of metal or othersuitable material, with holes at 0, d, and e, that at 6 beingcountersunk. The upper portion, F, of the reach consists of a bar ofmetal or other suitable material, straight for about one-third of itslength from the forward end. It then takes a sudden bend upward and awayfrom E, so that E and F are about twice or three times as far apart atthe rear axleD andG as they are at the front axle A and B. The parts Eand F may be made parallel throughout; but it is inferior in strength tothe method "of construction described.

F is provided at its forward end with an enlargement, which is convexabove, and pierced with a slot, (see Fig. 3, f,) the length of which isabout four times its diameter; also with a hole just forward of the bendaforesaid and coincident with the hole at in E, (see Fig. 4;) also witha hole where it comes in contact with D and coincident with the holec inE. Wherever these holes occur the material should be enlarged, so thatthe portion pierced may equal the rest in strength.

The forward ends of E and F rest between A and B of the forward axle,which are provided with holes coincident with those in E and F. Theking-boltg, Fig. 2, is passed through said holes, and thus unites theforward end of the reach to the middle of the forward axle. The peculiarshape of the hole 0 in E and the slot f in F permits the whole frame torock and yield to a sudden jolt without strain to the parts. Between theforward ends of E and F, and around the kin g-bolt, a spiral sprin g, h,is placed. ties of E and F apart, yet permits them to yield for themoment to any sudden shock.

The ordinary fifth-wheel may be used in the forward axle, and securedabove B by clips and nuts or the device shown in the drawings.

Between E and F, at hole d in E, are inserted the ends of two similarbars of metal or other suitable material, G and H, Fig. 1, which endsare pierced with holes similar to d in E, Fig. 4, and the correspondinghole in F. A bolt passes through these four holes, and is secured with anut, thus securing the forward ends of G and H firmly between E and F,as appears in Figs. 1 and 4. The rear extremities of G and H are carriedto and underneath C, Fig. 5, and are there secured by the same bolts andclips which unite D to 0 near the extremities of D.

From or near the middle of G and H two similar bars of metal, J and K,Fig. 1, extend to and rest upon the middle of C, Fig. 5. The

extremities of J and K are perforated, and secured to .G and H and to Gby bolts.

The rear end of F is placed under and in contact with D. The rear end ofE is placed under and in contact with O. A bolt is then inserted throughthe middle of D and through the rear ends of F, of J, and K, through themiddle of O and through the rear end of E,

This serves to keep the extremiand, being secured with a nut, unites allthese parts solidly together. The rear ends of E and F may be varied inposition with relation to O and 1). Thus they might be placed above 0and D, instead of underneath. The same is true of G H and J and K. Also,the method of connection may be varied without changing the character ofmy invention. Those I have given are simple and efiectual, and Itherefore prefer them.

The half-springs shown in drawings, or the diamond-spring, may be usedand secured to B andD with clips or hasps and nuts or springs may be puton longitudinally near the hub.

The material I prefer is iron or other metal. It may be of diamond,round, square, or oval section.

I claim as new and desire to patent- 1. A reach for a vehicle, composedof two parts, E and F, one placed above the other, in which the forwardend of the upper part F is connected with the kingbolt by means of aslot.

2. A reach for a vehicle, composed of two parts, E and I, one placedabove the other, in

which the forward end of the upper part F is enlarged and made convex onits upper side, so as to permit the forward axle to rock from side toside without twisting the reach.

3. The struts or braces GH, J and K, in combination with a double reachand rear axle of a vehicle, in which the rear ends of G and H arefastened below the axles and the rear extremities of J and K arefastened above the same, or vice versa, substantially as shown anddescribed.

4. A spring, h, in combination with the-forward extremities of a doublereach of a vehicle, which said forward ends are kept apart by, and anytendency to cause thein to approach one anothe r is resisted by, saidspring in addition to the natural rigidity of the material of which saidreach is composed.

In testimony that I claim. the forgoing improvement in vehicle-frames,as above described, I have hereunto set my hand.

GEORGE WILKES.

Witnesses:

J. Konnn, T. W. GARBER.

